Looking back on a Spring 2022 collaboration with AK Teens, in which JBWC young writers collaborated with the AK Teens Museum Ambassadors to create a collaborative zine, titled Here's Where I Make A Little Space For You, in response to their exhibit In These Truths, which features work by Black cultural producers.
We are thrilled to announce the 2022 Just Buffalo Writing Center Youth Fellows, selected by novelist and final judge Gabriel Bump: Liam Cobb of Buffalo, NY and Angelina Tang of East Amherst, NY. Congratulations, Liam & Angelina!
Presenting a selection of three poems by 2021 JBWC Youth Fellow Sophie Zhu. Says Sophie, "I hope you keep three phrases in mind while reading these poems: the act of being human, a video game of syllables, Wolfgang Tillmans, and your people."
Presenting The Inbetween, a chapbook of poetry and art by 2021 JBWC Youth Fellow Millie Rae Rodriguez-Spencer. "Not only was this my first completed project," says Millie Rae, "but an enriching introduction to the Buffalo literary and poetry community that in turn ignited my passion for creating art again."
If you know Writing Center Coordinator Robin Lee Jordan, you know she's a person who supports, uplifts, and celebrates young writers every day at JBWC. We're excited to turn the tables today and celebrate Robin's writing and the recent release of her chapbook THEY ATE EACH OTHER UP.
JBWC Youth Ambassador Danny Merlino reflects on connections with the work of cartoonist & graphic novelist Alison Bechdel in this guest blog ahead of their JBWC workshop "Trends, Fads, and Phases: In Color!"
If you’ve resolved to get your story idea on the page this year, novelist & teaching artist Nishant Batsha is here to help! In this Q&A, Nishant joins us to talk about the writing process, woodworking as a metaphor for story form, and how to find a rhythm.
JBWC writer Zelda has two poems out in the newest issue of Illustoria, a print magazine for creative kids & their grownups. Learn more about the yodeling goats Zelda dreamed up, the writers and books she's inspired by, and her NaNoWriMo goals for this year.
Hope Blooms From Shattered Roots is a digital collection of writings presented by Just Buffalo Writing Center in connection to The Civil Writes Project (2021), featuring work by young writers and artists living in WNY. Just as the journey towards justice must be a collective effort, this collection features collaborations between young artists and activists from a variety of organizations and projects around the city, and beyond. Editors: Richie Wills & Robin Jordan Book Designer: Mathieu Liu
We are so excited to announce the 2021 Just Buffalo Writing Center Youth Fellows: Millie Rodriguez-Spencer and Sophie Zhu! “These are two prolific writers with strong voices attuned to an informed listening and responsibility to community,” said final judge Christina Vega-Westhoff.